Why Don't People Wear Seatbelts?

[meandtheguys2]

If it weren't the smart/safe thing to do, I wouldn't wear one. They cut across my chin area...hate it. That said, I'd still be smoking if it weren't for the health issues involved. Or not wear my bicycle helmet. Sometime you have to make choices based on something other than what you want, or what feels good.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Oh, thanks for this. After posting I actually googled seat belts and really didn't find anything for short people; lots on extenders though.

My husband is just shy of 6'. We both drive the vehicle equally. Is this easy to adjust in your experience? TIA

lori

When I do drive "her" car, it is really easy to adjust. She has a slightly differeent model, but it is the same type of thing! When she first started driving the explorer, she complained about it and the dealer recommended getting one. Years later, she still uses one, BUT the newer models actually have a "sliding" device on the sholder belt that allows you to adjust for driver height! Is moves the anchor point up or down, depending on driver height!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Years later, she still uses one, BUT the newer models actually have a "sliding" device on the sholder belt that allows you to adjust for driver height! Is moves the anchor point up or down, depending on driver height!

Most of these are fine for people that are at least 5'. They do not go low enough for me (4'7").

As for the adjusters, I haven't seen one like that one. I have one but it slides too much and never stays in place.
Also, using these are not practical for those are are passengers in other people's cars. Which I always am since I don't drive at all.


I propose a way to solve this debate.


Everyone pay attention to your driving instead of talking on the phone, playing with your radio, talking to passengers, reading, eating, etc. Also everyone drive defensively instead of aggressively.

If everyone did this, there would be a lot less accidents. Unfortunately, people have gotten to the point where they feel "safe" enough with all safety improvements on vehicles that they pay less attention to their driving than they did 20-30 years ago.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Most of these are fine for people that are at least 5'. They do not go low enough for me (4'7").

As for the adjusters, I haven't seen one like that one. I have one but it slides too much and never stays in place.
Also, using these are not practical for those are are passengers in other people's cars. Which I always am since I don't drive at all.


I propose a way to solve this debate.


[B]Everyone[/B] pay attention to your driving instead of talking on the phone, playing with your radio, talking to passengers, reading, eating, etc. Also everyone drive defensively instead of aggressively.
If everyone did this, there would be a lot less accidents. Unfortunately, people have gotten to the point where they feel "safe" enough with all safety improvements on vehicles that they pay less attention to their driving than they did 20-30 years ago.

That is all good and well, but I think that I will quote a former instructor that I had many years ago, when talking about people doing very silly things that put their lives in danger:

"People, Never, ever underestimate the power of human stupidity, nor their ability for self justification, right up to the point of death"

I remember that and other gems, and years later, his advice has always played out to be true!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

You're right your choice except when the police give you a ticket. I say as long as you're only hurting yourself go for it. Though I think 2 of your 3 reasons are a load of bull.
Now for me & my family we always buckle up no matter what.

People who smoke are hurting themselves...people who drink are hurting themselves...Neither drinking nor smoking is against the law, but yet both can kill you.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Well, I'm in the don't wear one camp. I am only 5' 2", and the seat belt rests right under my jaw line. It is very uncomforatable, nearly impossible to turn my head to the left and if I were ever in a serious accident it would probably take my head off.

I am actually more worried about the airbag going off. They're designed for the average sized male! I have to sit practically on top of the steering wheel to reach the pedals and often think if this thing goes off it will probably crush my chest or break my neck.

I don't understand this at all. I am your height and don't have a problem at all. Could it be the type of vehicle you drive? I took those things into consideration when I bought my car. I can reach the peddles and still keep a distance from the steering wheel. My seatbelt adjusts to fit me just fine. Buying a new car might not be practical right now but next time you do, maybe find something that suits your height better? My DH is over 6' and we only have one car and it's safe for both of us.

 

[clh2]

There was an accident in the Milwaukee area about a week ago. A 16YO girl driving 3 friends on a freeway. They somehow crossed to the other side of the freeway.

2 of the teens, including the driver died right away, and a 3rd died later in the week. NONE of the teens had their seatbelts on. (It doesn't state this in this particular article, however, it was one of the things mentioned in the news this week.)

The 4th passenger was also very seriously injured, and there were also (non-life theatening) injuries in the oncoming vehicle they hit.

It is a very sad story.

 

[happygirl]

getting ready to be flammed lol, I don't wear a seat belt, I have many many many reasons for not wearing one, but the main one is that I hate the goverement telling me what to do, in my private vehicle

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

getting ready to be flammed lol, I don't wear a seat belt, I have many many many reasons for not wearing one, but the main one is that I hate the goverement telling me what to do, in my private vehicle

Yeah, good reason....OR:

http://despair.com/mis24x30prin.html

 

[imabrat]

getting ready to be flammed lol, I don't wear a seat belt, I have many many many reasons for not wearing one, but the main one is that I hate the goverement telling me what to do, in my private vehicle

Colour me stupid,but I don't understand this point of view?
Then again,I'm only 14 and don't keep up with the government and it's news.
Anybody from this crowd care to explain?


Honestly,my first thoughts were 'oh grow up!'
Who cares what the gov. tells you what to do,why would you rebel against the government for no reason and take a huge risk when not wearing a seatbelt?
HOWEVER,if someone could kindly give a valid reason for rebelling against the government,my thoughts might change.
Please no flames.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Colour me stupid,but I don't understand this point of view?
Then again,I'm only 14 and don't keep up with the government and it's news.
Anybody from this crowd care to explain?


Honestly,my first thoughts were 'oh grow up!'
Who cares what the gov. tells you what to do,why would you rebel against the government for no reason and take a huge risk when not wearing a seatbelt?
HOWEVER,if someone could kindly give a valid reason for rebelling against the government,my thoughts might change.
Please no flames.

Read my post, number 95.

The sad fact is, you will never change the attitudes of people like that. Some outside force has to do it (like an accident to them or their loved ones) many do not know just how fragile human life is. You only have to help pick up people in body bags once to make a believer out of you!

Many people want to "blame" someone for things that do not go right in their life, and it is always going to be "them" The Gubment caused this..(insert problem here)

Just be happy that you are a suvivor, and keep swimming errr posting!

 

[happygirl]

grumpy, please don't assume things about me, just because I don't agree with you

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

grumpy, please don't assume things about me, just because I don't agree with you

Please don't assume that I was talking about you, because I wasn't!

 

[Mickey~Mouse]

getting ready to be flammed lol, I don't wear a seat belt, I have many many many reasons for not wearing one, but the main one is that I hate the goverement telling me what to do, in my private vehicle

hey, I totally understand! take nothing these people have to heart, because they are "cookie cutter" with EVERYTHING! as for Grumpy~well, sounds like there are "issues" there.

Everyone here will talk about "oh the accident that killed 3 girls last night..yadda, yadda, yadda...well guess what? Do you know how many dead boies my BF has scraped up off the ground WITH seatbelts...so just hang tight, they will go away!

And more power to you for having the naddes to stand up and tell the truth~I did and they THINK they gave me crap...but they only gave me a reality shock of why I dislike "those kind of people"!

Happy Holiday!

 

[safetymom]

How do you scrape someone off the ground that was wearing a seat belt? 9 times out of ten they are still going to be in the vehicle.

I have been instructing people about seat belts and car seats for many years and I still am amazed at the number of people that personally know someone that was killed while wearing their seatbelt. It just doesn't happen that often but it sure makes a good story.

 

[meandtheguys2]

getting ready to be flammed lol, I don't wear a seat belt, I have many many many reasons for not wearing one, but the main one is that I hate the goverement telling me what to do, in my private vehicle

lOL, did you ever hear the term "cutting off your nose to spite your face..."

 

[happygirl]

Please don't assume that I was talking about you, because I wasn't!

I'm sorry then it sure seemed like you were respond to my post esp since I had just posted

Thanks Mickey~Mouse Merry Christmas to you as well

 

[NancyK]

How do you scrape someone off the ground that was wearing a seat belt? 9 times out of ten they are still going to be in the vehicle.

I have been instructing people about seat belts and car seats for many years and I still am amazed at the number of people that personally know someone that was killed while wearing their seatbelt. It just doesn't happen that often but it sure makes a good story.

 

[Mickey~Mouse]

I'm sorry then it sure seemed like you were respond to my post esp since I had just posted

Thanks Mickey~Mouse Merry Christmas to you as well

see, now watch...they attacked me for like days....because of this. But hey,
I think they are funny!

ok~good luck with this one! I only answered here for your sake. I will not be back!!


P.S..your best bet, just ignore them! let them judge amongst themselves!

 

[profdsny]

getting ready to be flammed lol, I don't wear a seat belt, I have many many many reasons for not wearing one, but the main one is that I hate the goverement telling me what to do, in my private vehicle

That's okay. Just when you are in a crash and thrown out of the car, don't ask the "government" fire, emts, and police to come to your assistance. Flag down a car or call a friend to take you to a non-public (government funded) hospital, if you can scrape yourself off the (government paid for) pavement . Is that fair?

I mean, come on, the government built the road, set the speed limit, and set the safety standards that the car you drive must have, and you are going to pull that one about you don't want the government to tell you what to do? Give us a break.